Are you paying attention? Because this giveaway is about to knock your socks off! We are bringing you not one, not two, not three (you get the idea) but SEVEN amazing Canadian products. Yes, they’re Canadian and they’re spectacular!

Seven bloggers, seven prizes, seven winners! I think you just hit the jackpot.

Back in November, Michelle stumbled upon a local Toronto based company called Urban Running Girl. Urban Running Girl makes running shrugs…yes, that’s right…RUNNING SHRUGS! These shrugs are designed for active women. “The idea of a running shrug came about from the need to keep warm while warming up during and early morning run, particularly in the spring and fall. It’s too cool to start with only a tank top or t-shirt, but once you are warmed up and/or outside the temperature rises. Then it becomes too warm for a long sleeve shirt or jacket”. These shrugs come in a variety of colours: purple, black, pink, orange and turquoise. The shrugs are made of tech material that wicks away quickly, it also has fold over cuffs that you can use to cover your hands on cooler days!

Allergic Solution allergen-free mixes were created from a place of knowledge about nutrition and how a balanced diet and healthy lifestyle can heal the body. The founder of the company is both a nutritionist and consumer who has yearned for healthy, allergen-free, gluten-free food products available in the market place. Their mission is to provide ethically and socially responsible products that support the needs of people with allergies, assist in reducing inflammation in the body and contributes to overall health. The mixes are free of corn, dairy/casein, gluten/wheat, peanuts, tree-nuts and soy and are also 100% vegan, kosher certified and are made in North America.

Regular flax contain a hard outer shell that our digestive system is unable to breakdown so it passes through the body without us absorbing any of the nutrients of the kernel found inside. You can get around this by using ground up flax but the taste leaves a lot to be desired. Omega Crunch however, is produced with shelled flax (flax that has had the hull removed from the inner flax kernel). Your body is able to easily digest the flax seed and reap the benefits offered by the seed. And they taste great! The natural flavour really doesn’t taste like anything and you can throw it in granola and raw macaroon recipes, or top of yogurt with a tablespoon of shelled flax. It adds a crunchy texture without the taste of the ground flax. You can also buy it in maple, cinnamon and garlic flavours.The other thing I really love about this product is that is made right here in Nova Scotia. In fact, it is produced in New Minas which is only 20 minutes away from where Suzi lives, and is produced in partnership with The Flower Cart which is an organization that provides training and employment for individuals with intellectual disabilities.

These ain’t your momma’s vitamins, but if you’re a nice kid you should get them for mom, anyway…it IS almost Mother’s Day!

Koge takes the confusion out of buying vitamins, as simplicity is their
motto; there are only four options. Koge’s expert team of doctors and
nutritionists have put together multi-product vitamin packages designed to
ensure you receive the holistic benefits you desire. Each tub has 30 packs of
vitamins, so all you have to do is take one a day and enjoy the benefits. The best part about Koge (besides wicked vitamins and spirited, down-to-earth, cute founders)? For every purchase, they donate vitamins to children in Africa under the age of 5 suffering from malnutrition. It’s a win-win; improve your health and permanently improve the lives of others.

Prize: One month supply of Daily Essentials. They’ll provide you with
a complete set of healthy nutrients required for optimal day-to-day
wellness. Your body will be at its best, no matter what the day throws your
way.

Vitamins A, E, F and C and Omega 3, 6 and 9 oils – offers support and nourishment for the skin

Never formulated with parabens, toxic preservatives, synthetics or artificial ingredients, petrochemicals or mineral oils. Also the owner Liz, is an absolute gem!

Prize: The Prevent & Repair System (travel size) has been formulated to create a state of well being and balance for the skin. This daily routine of cleansers, toner, treatment and moisturizers provide all the nutrition needed for healthy glowing skin. Ingredients containing pure vitamins, minerals and omega oils are all carefully combined to produce six powerful products that all play a role in reducing acne, redness, wrinkles and sun damage.

NoSweat has been amazing for Katy from Fit in Heels, who has invested so much money in workout clothes. What goes in to the washing machine is rank-ass, stinky laundry (courtesy of her and her husband, two fitness junkies who like to sweat) and what comes out smells so good it makes her want to shove her face in my husband’s jock. Katy’s words.

NoSweat can be used on its own (you need the teeeeniest amount), or in addition to your laundry detergent. It takes out yellow stains and works specifically with workout gear materials! In addition, the Mat Spray can be an amazing addition to your yoga practice, to freshen up your mat!This is a must-have for any fitness instructor, personal trainer, Phys Ed teacher, runner, athlete, or anyone else who lives in their workout gear.

What do all of these products and companies have in common? They are Canadian and we absolutely love each and every one of them. Of course, they love us right back, too!

Can we get a round of applause for these ridiculously fabulous companies? Now it’s your turn! Simply enter using the Rafflecopter below for your chance to win of of the seven awesome products or prize packs. This giveaway is open to all residents of Canada and the US. Good luck!

Since I have a WordPress.com blog, it won’t show the Rafflecopter widget, so just click on the link below and it will take you to a page where you can enter this giveaway very easily.

It’s Monday. The day furthest away from your next escape. The long weekend is around the corner, but it’s not close enough.

Do you have a case of the Mondays?

Well, do not fret my pet. I have something to cheer you right up! Have any plans for Friday night? Cancel them. You’re now going to The Banff Rocky Mountain Wine & Food Festival.

One lucky reader and a guest are getting entrance tickets to the festival that is sold out year after year. These hot little numbers are for the Friday, May 10 session from 7-10 p.m.

In February, Rebecca and I checked out the Winefest in Calgary and left a bit tipsy and a lot satisfied. I decided to find a red that I loved, and Rebecca caught up with the wine reps, speaking of trips to Napa and Kelowna – I have such cultured friends.

The Banff event invites guests to sample from a wide array of wine, scotch, beer and other libations, paired with delicious food samples. Wine and beverage experts will be available to share their knowledge and suggest tasting notes as attendees sample their way from booth to booth.

Not only is the hooch something to talk about, the Grand Tasting Hall will also feature the best cuisine that Banff restaurants and eateries have to offer.

So why not make a weekend out of it? Enjoy the beautiful Rocky Mountains, fantastic wine and delicious food, then sleep in and go hiking on Saturday – or just stay in town, shop the strip and have fondue for lunch at Grizzly House?

There are numerous ways to enter and the only mandatory one is to leave a comment below. Contest closes at 2:00 p.m. MT on Thursday, May 9. Winner will be contacted by email. Good luck!

How’s your Monday looking now?

– Contest now closed –

Leave a comment below telling me why you should have a night out in Banff

Disclaimer: The comp tickets are for the Friday, May 10 from 7-10 p.m. When presented at the door, these tickets will allow for complimentary access into the Grand Tasting Hall. Tickets are not transferable to Saturday’s session. This is an adult only event. All attendees must be 18 years or older. Minors (including infants) are not permitted to attend. Sampling coupons can be purchased separately.

It’s where we’ll keep in touch between post (which have been lacking lately..ugh), but also I wanted to give you a jumpstart on something special coming on Monday. If you like the FB page, you’re one step ahead of the game.

it’s been a rough few days in the Dalla Costa household (mom’s side), and it’s times like this that I feel so horribly selfish and stupid for moving so far away from family.

sister gave me some great advice to get through today:

it’s hard not to think about it. do something that makes you happy; listen to a great song, have a treat at one of those yummy bakeries.

today my happiness will come from Otis Redding and Bruno Mars, cups of strong and milky tea, email conversations with sister, my sixth Booty Camp session, the possibility of wine and dessert later, and looking at all of the beautiful and uplifting photos on Pinterest.

hug your loved ones for me. i’m not close enough to wrap my arms around anyone today, but they all have their hands in my heart.

I’m no cookie monster – unless sis sends me birthday cookies – but I definitely have a salty tooth. According to my friend Anna over at Your Healthy Place it’s because I’m dehydrated. I may agree with that, but even on days where I down three litres of water, this girl sometimes wants a treat. While grabbing for a bag of barbeque chips may not be the smartest decision, it is definitely one I’ve made. While they may fill a craving, the obvious and sad fact is, they do nothing for the body.

They come in herb and chili – I’m partial to a little heat, love the chili – and have 15g of protein, 140 calories, and only 2g of sugar and 4g of fat! Pea protein…who would have thought?! Now that’s a snack you won’t have to plan gym time around. I’m not going to lie, these won’t fool anyone into thinking you’re eating potato chips, but they are tasty and a much better option. Best news? They have a BBQ flavoured protein chip coming out in September which has one full serving of vegetables.

Simply Choices are also bar stars.

The Simply Bars are vegan, and come in six different flavours. I’d suggest the Cocoa Raspberry for any chocolate lovers. They have only a handful of ingredients and you can pronounce them all, which means no chemical, artificial or junk ingredients. These puppies are all natural.

The newest item to join the family are the Simply Whey bars; an exciting addition as they have the most protein with the least calories of any natural food snack. Made from all natural ingredients, the products are vegetarian, free of peanuts, dairy, gluten and soy, high in calcium and even kosher. They are perfect for people with dietary restrictions, and a great alternative to high glycemic snacks. I die over the coconut; it’s delicious.

I’m definitely giving the line of Simply products a “yay”; they make my What I’m Lovin’ Wednesday list and have been a recent addition to my gym bag for a post-workout snack.

I often pinch myself because I like it still don’t believe most of the opportunities that come my way as a writer/blogger/person in general.

Swag, champagne and manicures all rock my socks, but the part I love the most is meeting new people and learning their stories. I am a true journalist at heart: ask questions, questions, questions.

It’s even more fun when I get to tell their stories. Recently, I got to speak with two Cirque de Soleil performers about Amaluna’s run in Calgary. Max and Lindsey were so interesting and the intensity in their voices as they spoke about living their passion was inspiring.

As a thank-you for writing the article (which was 100% my pleasure) I was invited to see the show under the Big Top.

As always, Cirque did not disappoint. On numerous occasions, I found myself turning to my companion to offer a disbelieved, “whhhhhhaaaaaattttt?!”

Are our bodies really supposed to move that way? I didn’t even know it was possible. How does that tiny girl have so much strength? Check out the back and shoulder muscles on the Peacock Goddess! Did Cali just pet my hair and rub up against me? And why wasn’t a surprised a stranger is touching me so forcefully? Wait, look at his body, that’s why.

Thank you for inviting me into your world of magic and wonder, Cirque…and thanks for the wonderful photos.